Wednesday, April 30, 2014

The new annual ritual of Hoboken hosting a HudCo budget meeting makes a pilgrimage to the Mile Square City tonight.

So, on this frightful day of a chill spring rain, Hoboken residents and taxpayers will have an opportunity to see its legislative body responsible for the double digit year over year tax increases with no negligible improved services before us.

Tonight at 6:00 PM the Hudson County budget hearing begins. A Public Portion will be available and if you have something to pass along to HudCo, this is your chance to do so on your home turf.

Beth Mason once looked upon Hudson County as an escape route to move up the political ladder.Perhaps she'll show up tonight to pitch her newest episode of "Counte$$ goes to Washington."

Talking Ed Note: Hoboken may wish to see HudCo make serious spending reductions but it wasn't long ago that one Hoboken resident thought there was a road etched in her name with County Executive paved on it. The thinking being some checks with the right names could open that door.

It didn't pan out but the Mason family checks continue being written and sent all over Hudson, Bergen, Passiac and Monmouth counties in the search to get Beth Mason something, anything other than lowly ward council member in a one square mile hamlet.

Many checks in many Soprano State places are in the five figure range or more, but no donut.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Heavy rain and rainfall totals of 3 to 4 inches or more are currently forecast, with the potential for widespread flooding in urban areas.

The City of Hoboken is taking preparations including pre-positioning barricades to close streets as necessary.

Residents are advised to closely monitor forecasts and make appropriate preparations, including moving their vehicles from flood-prone streets. If heavy rain beyond the capacity of Hoboken's flood pump occurs during high tide, flooding is expected.

Due to the potential for flooding, the City of Hoboken is providing reduced rate parking in municipal Garage B (located on 2nd Street between Hudson and River Streets), Garage D (215 Hudson Street), and Midtown Garage (371 4th Street) beginning Wednesday, April 30 at 6pm through 8am on Thursday, May 1 for $5 for residents who reside in flood prone areas and have a valid Resident parking permit or Temporary parking permit placard.

Garage parking space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. When discounted parking is offered, garages frequently fill before the start of the discount period. Residents who wish to park in the garage outside of the discounted hours will be charged the regular garage fees during non-discount hours.

On behalf of my family, we would like to thank everyone for all of their continued support over the past 4 weeks. This has been an extremely difficult journey of many emotions during this time. Although this has been a very tragic ending, we have been able to get through this because of love, faith, and outpouring support that we have received from everyone. Andrew would be so proud. As we begin the healing process, please continue to be positive. Do not hang your heads on the “what if’s” in life. Andrew’s life on this earth was indeed cut very short. If you’ve crossed paths with him over these 27 years, consider yourself lucky.